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Mr Smith ruled out a proposition by one reporter that General Morrison went public on Thursday only because NSW Police were about to send a brief to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Absolutely not. General Morrison wanted to go public on this as soon as he possibly could," he said.

Mr Smith said the pair also discussed who was best to front the public with news of the scandal and it was decided that a stronger message would be sent by General Morrison.

"The best way of sending a signal to people who in the defence force have misbehaved in the past or who are thinking about inappropriate conduct, was for him to go public in the manner he did," Mr Smith said.

Investigators intercepted correspondence to and from officers, allegedly containing explicit and profane material demeaning to women.

Three army personnel have already been suspended from duty as the investigation continues.

"I will be ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to its values," General Morrison said in a video message posted on the defence website.